Time for Marco Asensio

Competition is a common occurrence at Real Madrid. The best players in the world play there and earning a place in the starting XI in the 14 time European champions is not easy at all.

Vinicius, Rodrygo and Valverde are some of the more recent examples that it is possible with hard work and enthusiasm. However, it can differ from case to case and there are times that an inopportune injury or simply a dip in form lead to you being dropped to the bench.

Marco Asensio must think something similar. The Spaniard is in his seventh season at Real Madrid although he has become less and less important in every one of them, especially after his serious cruciate ligament injury which kept him out of action for 267 days. 

Since then, the winger has always worked to get back to his best level, although it has not been easy at all. Nevertheless, Ancelotti has never considered him to be a dispensable footballer and he has always fought to have him staying at the club. 

Asensio's future is very uncertain. The attacker's contract expires at the end of the season and he has never hidden the possibility of leaving the club. However, the Real Madrid board will try to talk to about the possibility of extending his contract during the break for the World Cup. 

His performances in recent matches, where he has managed to score and assist against Elche and Sevilla, have opened up the possibility of the winger starting again this Tuesday. That would be against RB Leipzig in the Champions League and his first start of the season. Ancelotti has always praised his player's quality and work ethic and, given Valverde and Benzema's absences due to injuries, Asensio could get his opportunity to lay down a marker.